a) Do people use the millions of converters in real life ... like USB to Serial etc I can't see a huge need - but I'm not IT person ...
b) Considering there is a place that sells the same - would another be pointless, especially at slightly high (albeit better quality) pricing? Or do people buy on price alone?
Basically - any feedback
People like cheap and dirty. Expensive, high quality = niche. True for pretty much anything. Plus with digital, there is not much between cables and connectors ITO quality, they either work or they don't.
I'd beg to differ on that point. Anyone with half a brain does their research, and I am assuming that people who want a specific item have done their research, instead of going to their local dealer and getting ripped off silly.
For instance, I did a lot of research on wireless routers and it turns out that Linksys (Cisco) has the most stable throughput, even though companies like D-Link can peak higher. None of my regular suppliers could get their hands on what I was looking for, when I wanted it, but Wootware was able to. Now that's an example of an online store - service is brilliant, AND they even phone you to follow up. Their prices were better than anywhere else I'd looked, as well - I'm talking R12K worth of wireless gear.
My point is - price isn't everything. I keep saying this to my clients. You need to consider how much it costs you when your goods pack up and you need a replacement. Nobody wants to spend hours chasing a replacement. Most of the companies I deal with replace on a simple, descriptive, email.
If you're considering an online store, nothing speaks more volumes about you than excellent service, even if you charge a bit more, because that is what gets people talking.
Reaon I asked:
HDMI cables for example, can't really be classified as "quality" or not. The signal is digital so if it works it works. It is up to the buyer to decide if he wants to pay R x extra to get gold plating, braded wires, etc.
Only time I buy the more expensive cable is USB extension cables. Never can get good USB cables.
There are good cables and crap cables, just because it's HDMI doesn't make it not so.
Many SA high end hifi distributors is very anti online selling.
They are either afraid brick and mortar will revolt or that hosting it on a online shop will damage the "prestige" of the high end brands. Bit of snobbery there.
(The guys who distribute monkey cables and van den hul is great though.)
Most of them won't sell to online stores. Even when assuring them you wont enter into price wars.
There is some nice distributors out there but you have commit to a recommended retail pricing.
I mean when I contacted many of them I totally reassured them I will keep to Recommended retail pricing so that their High street clients don't complain. I even offered them to regularly inspect my online shop to see. Still no luck 90% of the time.
It's not like the PC industry where they don't a impose minimise pricing policy.
This make it very difficult. Customer then see no price advantage and many with credit cards, which most people have which buy high end, just skip SA shops totally and buy direct from overseas.
There are many electronics distributors in SA who in my view does not do their brands any favour. They buy there exclusive distribution rights then you have moerse problems either getting stock from these suppliers or getting it at a price not ridiculously inflated above the normal import price from overseas shop. Then you have to deal with old fashioned business models and snobbery like explained above.
Any IT company can buy directly from just about any electronics distributor, through their wholesale channel. It really is that simple.
The biggest problem you're going to have with an online business is your actual website maintenance, especially considering prices change on an almost daily basis. It's a hectic undertaking, and unless you find staff that are willing to go the extra mile, you're fighting an uphill battle. Then you still have to maintain respectable levels of service, and pricing, all while you're trying to cover your overheads. It's quite daunting.
If you really must, I'd suggest a bit of diversity, because your core business is going to take some time to get going - so you really need to branch out into other avenues.
